Looking for Young Entrepreneurs with Innovative Business Ideas

Thursday, September 7, 2017

By Susan Scherreik

Calling all young entrepreneurs! Seton Hall University has launched its third annual business idea competition just for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Entering is easy and fun, and you could be eligible to win prizes that total more than $50,000 in cash and scholarship awards.

The deadline is Wednesday, October 18 at midnight.

Here's how: Submit an original business idea that, in 350 words or less, describes an innovative product or service that you would like to create or have already created. Ten Finalists will be selected in late October.

Finalists will present their business ideas in person at Seton Hall University's South Orange campus, or via Skype on Friday, November 17, 2017.

Pirates Pitch for high school students is modeled after the University's popular collegiate business model competition, Pirates Pitch.

"We want to reach out to high school students and encourage them to become entrepreneurs as early as possible," says Susan Scherreik, director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Stillman School of Business. "The judges, who are Seton Hall University faculty members, as well as alumni who are successful entrepreneurs, can provide valuable feedback and encouragement to participants," she added.

The competition is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The first place winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize, plus a $10,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University. The second place winner will receive a $1,000 prize plus $6,000 to attend the University. All other finalists will receive a $4,000 scholarship to attend.